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Last Summer… in 1880

This past summer, our family took a roadtrip back to South Dakota to visit family. While we were there, one of our activities was to ride behind the “1880 Train” – more properly known as the Black Hills Central Railroad. It’s a tourist line running between Keystone and Hill City, South Dakota. While the train made a passenger and water stop in Hill City, I took a few photos. According to the railroad, the Black Hills Central 110 is the only articulated mallet in operation. Here’s one of my favorite shots from the trip:

I rode that train when I was 14 years old back in the 1970’s. It was a neat trip. I opted to ride in the covered car. I am glad I did. Others who didn’t had to contend with soot and some cinder travelling back from the stack.

I was a member of the engine crew at the BHC in the mid 90s. I recognize a couple of faces in your photo. It certainly is a first-class operation compared to back when I was there (back when the places was held together with chewing gum and shoelaces).